Legislature
5 things to know about the minimum wage debate in Pa.
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/03/5-things-to-know-about-the-minimum-wage-debate-in-pa.html
As pandemic continues, GOP lawmakers prepare for retreat at pricey ‘Bachelor’ resort
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/spl/pa-coronavirus-republican-retreat-bachelor-resort-20210312.html
As states move on anti-trans bills, Pa.’s LGBTQ residents are still vulnerable to discrimination | Friday Morning Coffee
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/as-states-move-on-anti-trans-bills-pa-s-lgbtq-residents-are-still-vulnerable-to-discrimination-friday-morning-coffee/
The debate over tolling Pennsylvania bridges, explained
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/the-debate-over-tolling-pennsylvania-bridges-explained/
How GOP state senators hope to quash PennDOT plan to toll bridges
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2021/03/11/penndot-plan-toll-nine-pa-bridges-republicans-respond/4651046001/
Republican lawmakers attack PennDOT plan to toll interstate bridges: ‘I have heard a very loud cry’
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/capitol-ideas/mc-nws-pa-bridge-tolls-pushback-20210311-kd4f34p2tnfzxgzkzeusppk6jm-story.html
Martz Group, trucking companies oppose plan to toll bridges
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/business/martz-group-trucking-companies-oppose-plan-to-toll-bridges/article_36dedaea-ba6f-589f-a1cc-f9e05f682a69.html
Pending bill could settle DA debate
https://www.timesleader.com/news/1045608/pending-bill-could-settle-da-debate
Increase effort against gambling addiction
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/increase-effort-against-gambling-addiction/article_87ed8638-f117-5190-877f-84e6291c30ae.html
Coronavirus – COVID-19
Delaware County expects a boost in COVID-19 shots straight from Washington, not Harrisburg
https://www.inquirer.com/news/covid-vaccine-delaware-bucks-montgomery-chester-county-coronavirus-philadelphia-suburbs-pennsylvania-tom-wolf-20210311.html
Vaccine scheduling software isn’t to blame for rollout problems in Philly and Pa., company founder says
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/software-prepmod-fema-vaccine-philadelphia-pennsylvania-20210311.html
Effective treatments for COVID-19 are tough to develop, but this pill is raising hopes
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/covid-19-viruses-tougher-than-bacteria-to-treat-20210312.html
COVID-19, a year later: Our lessons
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/covid-19-a-year-later-our-lessons/article_6c54573e-f22c-5a88-a307-64dbf925278f.html
Volunteer ‘finders’ help people make appointments to get the COVID vaccine
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/volunteer-finders-help-people-make-appointments-to-get-the-covid-vaccine/article_98d335be-81db-11eb-bfde-03625918cc80.html
Rite Aid opens vaccinations to school and child care workers in Berks County and Pa.
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/rite-aid-opens-vaccinations-to-school-and-child-care-workers-in-berks-county-and-pa/article_2847c952-825f-11eb-ac89-177cdd70d470.html
Pa. adds 2,652 cases, 51 deaths
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2021/03/11/covid-coronavirus-pennsylvania-allegheny-county-cases-deaths-vaccines-health/stories/202103110183
Allegheny County adds 19 new covid deaths; Westmoreland County covid numbers stable; state hospitalizations fall
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/allegheny-county-adds-19-new-covid-deaths-westmoreland-county-covid-numbers-stable-state-hospitalizations-fall/
COVID-19 still spreading, but new case, death rate levels off
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/covid-19-still-spreading-but-new-case-death-rate-levels-off/article_105d2911-95d9-59db-8552-9838f9d87997.html
Merck plant in Montgomery County will help produce J&J’s COVID-19 vaccine
https://www.inquirer.com/business/drugs/merck-west-point-jj-covid-19-vaccine-20210311.html
Intellectual disability is the top unspoken risk factor for COVID-19. So why is it not prioritized for vaccine? | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/intellectual-disability-covid-risk-vaccine-20210311.html
Biden sets May 1 target to have all adults vaccine-eligible
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/joe-biden-signing-stimulus-bill-thursday-20210311.html
Biden aims for quicker shots, virus ‘independence’ by July 4
https://triblive.com/news/world/biden-aims-for-quicker-shots-virus-independence-by-july-4/
Biden mentioned a Pa. woman during his address who just wanted ‘the truth.’ We found her.
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/joe-biden-coronavirus-speech-philadelphia-kirsten-hess-20210312.html
Yellen: Americans to start seeing relief checks this weekend
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2021/03/12/Yellen-says-Americans-to-start-seeing-relief-checks-this-weekend/stories/202103120084
Administration
Wolf pessimistic about his stimulus spending hopes for Pa.
https://www.witf.org/2021/03/11/wolf-pessimistic-about-his-stimulus-spending-hopes-for-pa/
Business
Netflix steps up policing of password sharing
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2021/03/11/Netflix-steps-up-policing-of-password-sharing/stories/202103110216
Crime/Punishment
Washington County man charged in Capitol riot
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/03/11/Washington-County-man-charged-in-U-S-Capitol-riot-Dale-Shalvey/stories/202103110196
Berks County Prison sees outbreak of COVID cases
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/berks-county-prison-sees-outbreak-of-covid-cases/article_f051259c-829b-11eb-9dc6-b3de72359bd9.html
Education
The $1.9 trillion stimulus plan: How much will your school district or municipality receive?
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/03/the-19-trillion-stimulus-plan-how-much-will-your-school-district-or-municipality-receive.html
Vaccinating teachers gets Pa. schools ‘one step closer to what is normal’
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/03/vaccinating-teachers-gets-schools-one-step-closer-to-what-is-normal.html
Lackawanna County schools may receive $65 million in new federal COVID relief funds
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/lackawanna-county-schools-may-receive-65-million-in-new-federal-covid-relief-funds/article_c206ca86-149c-56fb-affb-c10e269fdc4a.html
During private meeting, district provides non-English speaking families with information on Bancroft closure
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/during-private-meeting-district-provides-non-english-speaking-families-with-information-on-bancroft-closure/article_c9314efa-5d6a-5d82-b6e5-16e6f5c67e44.html
Teaching during the pandemic presented challenges
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/teaching-during-the-pandemic-presented-challenges/article_f1727820-8bcb-52da-8b4f-eea360e5ce53.html
‘Absolutely game-changing’: Teachers in the Philly suburbs have begun getting coronavirus vaccines
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/covid-vaccine-teachers-pennsylvania-coronavirus-school-montgomery-delaware-bucks-chester-county-20210311.html
Teachers strong arm their way into shots
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2021/03/12/Vaccinating-teachers-is-the-way-out-of-this-mess/stories/202103060021
Should schools get to cancel standardized tests this year? | Pro/Con
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pssas-2021-schools-testing-pandemic-biden-administration-20210311.html
Vaccination of Alle-Kiski school employees moves forward
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/vaccination-of-alle-kiski-school-employees-moves-forward/
Crestwood will vaccinate all employees while reopening schools
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/crestwood-will-vaccinate-all-employees-while-reopening-schools/article_0aaa8e0b-e584-5ce4-af02-e197979c7be3.html
Allentown School District considers reopening schools for hybrid learning in April
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-nws-allentown-school-reopen-plan-20210312-oyzayqkkfjaxthsjk2zmiu5hoy-story.html
The Berks County Intermediate Unit has announced the winners of it annual STEM competition
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/education/the-berks-county-intermediate-unit-has-announced-the-winners-of-it-annual-stem-competition/article_e461c460-8293-11eb-a326-634a1f4ec4fb.html
LGBTQ advocates rally around former St. Joseph’s Univ employee’s anti-bias suit
https://www.penncapital-star.com/civil-rights-social-justice/lgbtq-advocates-rally-around-former-st-josephs-univ-employees-anti-bias-suit/
Elections/Politics
Western Pa. state Rep. Ortitay looking into Pa. governor’s run
https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/western-pa-state-rep-ortitay-looking-into-pa-governors-run/
Local News
Sale price for Scranton State School for the Deaf made public
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/sale-price-for-scranton-state-school-for-the-deaf-made-public/article_b80e007f-a7c2-54d4-bdc5-ddeedd516d23.html
Activists demand Berks County cuts ties with federal agency managing center for detained immigrants
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/activists-demand-berks-county-cuts-ties-with-federal-agency-managing-center-for-detained-immigrants/article_69423878-8289-11eb-b8bc-8320081a517b.html
Exeter residents debate township’s proposal to transform Promenade Shopping Center into community center
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/exeter-residents-debate-townships-proposal-to-transform-promenade-shopping-center-into-community-center/article_7c801924-82d3-11eb-837b-2bb9d38abe30.html
Volunteer fire company dissolves in Throop
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/crime-emergencies/volunteer-fire-company-dissolves-in-throop/article_679b1ad8-436f-5e1a-84f2-7b681ed11047.html
Bucks solicitor: New Law Department saved on outside legal bills
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/03/12/bucks-law-department-saves-outside-billing-new-solicitor-says/6936944002/
Westmoreland County preps for expected $107 million stimulus windfall
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-preps-for-new-stimulus-funds/
William Shatner to headline Monroeville’s Steel City Con in June
https://triblive.com/local/regional/william-shatner-to-headline-monroevilles-steel-city-con-in-june/
Drop-in center for homeless clients set to open in Hazleton
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/drop-in-center-for-homeless-clients-set-to-open-in-hazleton/article_80675d53-a966-548a-89c3-cc18a446ee56.html
Allentown State Hospital: Which redevelopment plan is best?
https://www.mcall.com/opinion/mc-prem-opi-allentown-state-hospital-redevelopment-muschick-20210312-lkb3ejwf5zbkbiyxwzwvc6tsji-story.html
Lower Merion to apply for grant to improve bicycling, pedestrian in Bala Cynwyd
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/mainlinetimes/lower-merion-to-apply-for-grant-to-improve-bicycling-pedestrian-in-bala-cynwyd/article_5a97351a-8272-11eb-b27d-23a285985663.html
West Chester gets new public works director
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/west-chester-gets-new-public-works-director/article_11f8e9aa-81c5-11eb-9384-933a430b03e8.html
National News
New River Gorge in West Virginia: Meet America’s 63rd National Park
https://www.post-gazette.com/life/travel/2021/03/12/New-River-Gorge-in-West-Virginia-US-63rd-National-Park/stories/202103110166
Alabama House passes bill allowing yoga to be taught in public schools for the first time in decades
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/03/alabama-house-passes-bill-allowing-yoga-to-be-taught-in-public-schools-for-the-first-time-in-decades.html
Philly
City chooses Black-owned firm to develop tiny-house village in West Philly
https://www.inquirer.com/news/homeless-tiny-house-village-mosaic-black-owned-business-construction-20210311.html
After a year of grief and loss, Philadelphians are finally starting to remember what hope feels like.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/a/philadelphia-vaccinations-pandemic-relief-covid-anniversary-20210311.html
Feds say CEO of Philly’s massive produce market funded millions of dollars in charity work with stolen money
https://www.inquirer.com/news/sonny-dicrecchio-caesar-philly-wholesale-produce-market-arrest-charged-20210311.html
City legislators begin moving on $400M bond issuance to fund anti-poverty, affordable housing plan
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/city-legislators-begin-moving-on-400m-bond-issuance-to-fund-anti-poverty-affordable-housing-plan/article_cb9ac1ec-84f7-5516-a6e8-d38eb145bcb2.html
Council members push for hearings on racial gaps in educational resources, property assessments
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/council-members-push-for-hearings-on-racial-gaps-in-educational-resources-property-assessments/article_6d98ae7f-65ec-55d2-b5f5-761487726526.html
Legislators mull sending negligent property owners bill for repairs after grace period
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/legislators-mull-sending-negligent-property-owners-bill-for-repairs-after-grace-period/article_498eff06-28bf-5e19-adfc-7e21aec39852.html
Philly skyline will go mostly dark at night starting April 1 in an effort to save birds
https://www.inquirer.com/science/climate/philadelphia-birds-lights-out-audubon-20210311.html
For the widow of slain Philly police Cpl. James O’Connor, the past year has been ‘an unreal nightmare’
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-police-cpl-james-oconnor-one-year-anniversary-shooting-death-20210311.html
Dolly Parton is giving away thousands of children’s books in Philadelphia
https://www.inquirer.com/news/dolly-parton-free-books-philadelphia-20210311.html
Pitt
Gut check, please: Pittsburgh restaurants forge ahead with guarded optimism as pandemic mark passes one year
https://www.post-gazette.com/life/dining/2021/03/12/Restaurants-pittsburgh-forge-ahead-coronavirus-pandemic/stories/202103120017
$26 million will fund Pittsburgh home ownership program
https://triblive.com/local/26-million-will-fund-pittsburgh-home-ownership-program-led-by-ura/
Major Downtown apartment redevelopment in the works at YWCA headquarters
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2021/03/12/YWCA-of-Greater-Pittsburgh-Downtown-City-Club-Apartments-Jonathan-Holtzman-Wood-Street/stories/202103120069
Boy, 15, killed in triple shooting in West Philly
https://www.inquirer.com/news/west-philadelphia-homicide-teen-boy-shot-20210312.html
Enjoy some St. Patrick’s Day revelry from home with YaJagoff Media’s virtual parade
https://www.post-gazette.com/life/holidays/2021/03/12/st-patricks-day-parade-yajagoff-media-rich-fitzgerald-john-chamberlin-rachael-rennebeck/stories/202103120009
Allegheny County Council launches committee on sustainability, environmental initiatives
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2021/03/11/Allegheny-County-Council-sustainability-green-initiatives-environmental-committee-police-review/stories/202103110208
Former county Councilman McCullough to comply with prison sentence next month
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/03/11/charles-mccullough-prison-sentence-comply-county-councilman-theft/stories/202103110172
Longtime Hillman residence is gifted to Carnegie Mellon University
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/03/12/Carnegie-Mellon-University-CMU-Henry-Hillman-Elsie-philanthropy-donation-residence-colleges-gift-pittsburgh/stories/202103110211
Pittsburgh officials plan occupancy checks during St. Patrick’s Day weekend
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-safety-officials-urge-caution-during-st-patricks-day-weekend/
State News
Pennsylvania to lift last moratorium on utility shutoffs
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-to-lift-last-moratorium-on-utility-shutoffs/
Asian American leaders, racial justice advocates say ‘sense of urgency’ needed to combat hate crimes, racism
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/03/at-town-hall-asian-american-leaders-racial-justice-advocates-voice-call-to-action-to-combat-hate-crimes-racism.html
The family of a Reading man crushed by a bulldozer in a police search for pot gets a $475,000 settlement
https://www.inquirer.com/news/gregory-longenecker-lawsuit-bulldozer-reading-marijuana-settlement-20210311.html
An undocumented Pennsylvania family is driven to the center of American misery
https://www.inquirer.com/news/undocumented-immigrants-covid-19-pandemic-stimulus-unemployment-20210311.html
Josh Shapiro messes with Texas
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/clout/pennsylvania-attorney-general-josh-shapiro-texas-20210312.html
Is your yard watershed friendly? There’s now a certification for that
https://www.readingeagle.com/living/is-your-yard-watershed-friendly-theres-now-a-certification-for-that/article_fc62b914-81af-11eb-8a3a-fbb0f0c29e48.html
Federal stimulus to send Pennsylvania nearly $14 billion. Here’s how much your town will get
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-pa-towns-coronavirus-relief-money-search-20210312-di56737cuvdn3okuzd4ixame5u-htmlstory.html
Transportation
How did PA turnpike rank as most expensive? ‘Fantasy’ trip across the state, officials say
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/03/12/pa-turnpike-refutes-most-expensive-toll-road-world-ranking/6943935002/
Washington
Toomey, Manchin team up on gun safety legislation as House passes background checks bill
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2021/03/11/Toomey-Manchin-team-up-on-gun-safety-legislation-as-House-passes-background-checks-bill/stories/202103110149